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 We spend a lot of time in the water—and invite you to join us! Fitness-minded residents organize a Triathlon each May, a five-mile Coral Reef Swim Race in October, and sport fishing competitions all year long. But any time of year, our ideal climate makes water sports a treat:  Buck Island Buck Island Reef National Monument: St. Croix's #1 attraction for visitors is also a playground for residents, especially on weekends. Plan a morning or full day excursion to visit this uninhabited island to the north on the east end coastline. National Park Service-authorized power boats, sailboats, or catamarans (based on the Christiansted waterfront, in Green Cay Marina, or at Teague Bay) will provide transportation and snorkel gear. The captain will take you first to the pristine west beach for swimming, strolling, and a quick lesson in how to snorkel. Then you'll head over to Buck Island's east side where the boat will moor above a marked underwater trail for a snorkel-fest led by the crew.  SCUBA Diving Scuba Diving: Love to dive? Want to learn? St. Croix is an internationally-known destination for divers, especially for our wall along the north shore that drops down more than 13,000 feet. But there's plenty more, including the deep canyon at the Salt River and a group of wrecks on the west end. Scuba buffs say this is the only place in the Caribbean where you can dive a wall, a reef, a wreck, and a pier-all in the same day. Choose one tank or two, by day or by night, from shore or by boat—our highly-experienced dive operators are ready to assist. You'll find them based in Christiansted, Frederiksted, the Salt River Marina, and at Cane Bay, and some have branches at St. Croix hotels. If you've always wanted to learn, an instructor can turn you into a diver in a couple of hours.  Snorkel Lesson Snorkeling: Coral reefs fringe much of our coastline and make St. Croix a snorkeler's dream. Fins, Mask, and snorkel are available for guests or to rent at many beach resorts and you'll find them for sale at dive shops. Take a boat to Buck Island or walk in from the beach—with a few minutes' practice, you can make friends with our fish, turtles, rays, seahorses, squid, and other sea creatures, and discover a whole new world.
 Sportsfishing Fishing: Trade in your beach lounge for a fighting chair and set off for deep water to reel in a wahoo, tuna, or mahi—maybe even a billfish. Sport fishing is in season here for all local species throughout the year. The search for blue marlin intensifies in summer months during the weeks around full moons. No angling experience is needed and professional charter captains will take you to their secret spots on half or full-day charters. Boat crews provide necessary licensing, rods and reels, bait, and tackle.  Sailing in the Christiansted Harbor Sailing: At the St. Croix Yacht Club's International Sailing Regatta in February, sailors from around the Caribbean and the United States meet and mix it up in the waters off Buck Island. The event kicks off the Caribbean Ocean Racing Series (CORT) that includes spring regatta in Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands. While adults race, junior sailing Optimist Valentine Regatta takes place inside Teague Bay reef on the same weekend for kids under age 16. Sunset Cruises: Celebrate the end of another great day spent enjoying St. Croix's water by taking a sunset cruise with a rum punch toast. Boats leave from the Christiansted boardwalk and Green Cay Marina. Other individual water sports: Favorite waters for kite boarding are along the north shore to the east end of the island; beginner or advanced instruction and equipment can be arranged. Jet-skis are offered for rent in Christiansted harbor when you are ready to zip through the waves leaving a wide wake behind. Some hotel water sports centers offer small sailboats, windsurfers, surfboards, and pedal boats as well.  |
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Proud member of the Caribbean Hotel Association. 
Activities